Summary
It is impossible to talk aboutSand Landwithout mentioningAkira Toriyama, who unexpectedly passedin early March. Although the game is only based on Toriyama’sSand Landmanga series, his impact on the property, from the writing to the gorgeous art style, is apparent.
Bandai Namco offered us hands on time with a few hours ofSand Landgameplay, which was set about 30 hours into the game’s adventure. According to Bandai Namco, that’s roughly halfway throughSand Land, which suggests that fans of the manga series are in for an epic journey. And after having played the game in a more comprehensive setting - close to a year since seeingSand Landat Summer Game Fest - it’s clear that fans will find a lot to like about the game.
The demo featured three separate segments from Sand Land: a story mission that sees Beelzebub and crew rescuing Ann, a boss fight with a giant tank, and the opportunity to explore the open world of Sand Land and Forest Land. Ultimately, the preview highlighted thevehicular combat thatSand Landoffersin many different forms, while giving some small teases of the story ahead.
Vehicle Combat Shines in Sand Land
Customization is a big part ofSand Land’s vehicle combat, allowing players to mix and match pieces to suit their play style. The iconic tank ofSand Landis a key fixture of the gameplay, with players able to modify the engine, chassis, weapons, and other aspects of the vehicle. Some might choose to be more nimble and pepper enemies with weaker artillery hits or machine gun fire, while others can go for brute force, packing the sturdiest frame with the strongest weapons. Every option felt viable in the preview and it was a ton of fun finding a personal favorite among the various strategies.
While the tank is a key part of the vehicle selection ofSand Land, Bandai Namco has packed the game with a variety of traversal and combat options. There is a dirt buggy, a motorcycle, a jump-bot, battle armor, and more – all of which can be customized in a similar fashion to the tank. The battle armor, for example, acts like a more lumbering version of the third person combat that Beelzebub can perform, using steel fists and artillery to decimate foes.
With its vehicle combat,Sand Landfeels like a genuine sandbox. Players can choose how best they want to approach the designs of their vehicles, switch between them at the press of two buttons, and change things up along the way. Loot also seems to play a big part in the open world exploration and questing, urging players to complete more tasks in order to gain better upgrades for their vehicles.
There is a unique cadence to the vehicle combat as well, with most offering two offensive weapons to switch between. Each weapon is limited in terms of ammo, so the player must regularly swap between their weapons while the other reloads. As a result, players will need to be mindful of the situation, using quicker weapons on weaker foes and then saving their more powerful attacks for key openings or more imposing enemies. It’s all well done and never feels overwhelming, but the setup allows for more strategy when taking on bosses, for example.
Beelzebub’s Adventures Continue in Sand Land
Vehicle combat may be a key pillar ofSand Land, but it’s not all that the game has to offer. Any time players wish, they can take control of Beezlebub and partake of some third person character action. It’s standard fare for a Bandai Namco game, with Beezlebub able to dole out damage with one or two-button combos and then dodging when necessary. Players also have access to a series of special abilities (powered by an energy meter) that allow Beezlebub to unleash flashier, more devastating attacks on his own or ask his teammates like Rao to deal some punishment to an enemy.
The third-person combat is solid and should be familiar to fans of the genre. Using the abilities allows for a little more strategy, but it doesn’t seem too complex to be confusing. That said, when there was a chance to use a vehicle that felt like a more fun option.
Sand Landdoesn’t rely on outright combat either; there was a fair bit of variety in the preview. The first section of theSand Landdemowas more exploratory and puzzle-based, with Beezlebub using his hovercraft to traverse water to either drain or fill different sections of a vast underground environment. There was also a section that featured stealth mechanics where Beezlebub was sneaking behind and subduing enemies in order to infiltrate a facility and rescue Ann.
Sand Land Sidequests We Played:
Overall, the preview suggested that Sand Land will be a sprawling adventure packed with varied gameplay and combat scenarios to keep players engaged. You rarely get to scratch the surface when it comes to open-world exploration in these previews, butSand Landseems to have two prettybig areas to explore and side queststo keep fans occupied while following the main story. Not being familiar withToriyama’s manga, I can’t speak to the depth of that storytelling, but what was included in the preview was charming and funny. There was also the suggestion that Sand Land will include some significant revelations for fans of Toriyama’s manga series.
And that’s what seems to prop upSand Landmore than many other character action games. Toriyama’s art style and design sensibilities have been brought to life as a playable 3D video game, and even seeing just a small slice of the game showcased a lot of diverse environments, cool character moments, and flashy effects. If this is to be a 60-hour game,Sand Landseems poised to give fans a lot to sink their teeth into.
Sand Land
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into a desert world where both humans and demons suffer from an extreme water shortage - SAND LAND. Meet the Fiend Prince Beelzebub, his chaperone Thief, and the fearless Sheriff Rao, and follow the team on an extraordinary adventure in search of the Legendary Spring hidden in the desert, and much more. The end is only the beginning, as beyond this arid ground lies a mysterious new realm to explore - Forest Land.This action-RPG is a nostalgic and heartwarming world created by Akira Toriyama, where you will become the main character, Beelzebub. Learn how to control his powers and lead your company of heroic misfits, exploring the legendary world of SAND LAND and the brand-new Forest Land. But beware of the many dangers that populate them: between bandits, fierce wildlife, and ruthless Army Generals, reaching the spring and saving the world won’t be easy!Use your tact and imagination to develop tanks and other vehicles that will help you navigate these vast resourceful lands, using a wide array of part combinations. Build up your base of operations into a thriving city, with the help of the people you meet along the way in this desert.
Sand Landreleases June 12, 2025 for PC, PS5, PS4, and Xbox Series X/S. Game Rant was provided travel accommodations for this preview.
